Author: Hannah Mauer
Date: 11/9/2024
Coral reefs make up only 1% of the seafloor, and yet, they support approximately 25% of all marine species – much like your crowded kitchen on Thanksgiving, filled with family and friends! In fact, if you use a bit of imagination, there are a lot of similarities between the coral reef environment located near the FAU Marine Lab and a bustling household preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t believe us? Read on!
Fishes, octopuses, sharks, turtles, sponges, and stingrays are just a few of the eclectic marine life in and around coral reefs, just like your eclectic Thanksgiving family, all playing a different role in the day’s festivities.
Parrotfish picking at the algae growing on rocky surfaces is reminiscent of your mom’s last-minute attempt to tidy the house, as if she could really hide the mess from your family. Although your mom isn’t eating what she rushes to tidy, a parrotfish looks quite similar – using their small, but vigorously flapping, pectoral fins to busily move from surface to surface, leaving them all a bit clearer than when they began grazing – just like your darting, decluttering mother!
An octopus is reminiscent of your hermit-like brother that only comes out of his room when the food is ready, and then once full, promptly goes back to playing video games in his “den.” Octopuses spend a majority of their time in their dens, but inevitably must venture out to find a bite to eat.
Blacktip sharks are your distant uncles and cousins that have traveled a great distance to get to the family’s celebratory meal. Blacktips might not be yelling at football on the TV like these family members, but these sharks travel hundreds of miles back to Florida waters in the winter months
Sea turtles are like grandparents who doze off before and after the festivities. Sea turtles seen napping within the reef are often older adults looking for a meal and a quiet place to relax.
Sponges might remind you of that one family member that might not be a relative. Although they might look and behave like plants, sponges are animals! They feed on plankton suspended in the water column.
Stingrays are like your “cool aunt” gliding around you all evening in unique bold prints with quiet confidence. No one is dressed quite like her. Some stingrays scoot along the bottom but your aunt moves more like a whitespotted eagle ray, eloquently flapping and gliding effortlessly in and around the reef. And like your stylish aunt, no two whitespotted stingrays have the same spot pattern. However, those spots provide a disruptive pattern that serves as camouflage, allowing them to blend into the seafloor below while simultaneously hiding from predators above.
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Somehow coral reef members, like a family, make it work when each member of the family is doing their part. When the table is finally set, each person says what they are thankful for and then it is time to eat. Have you ever thought about what the animals of the coral reef are thankful for? Just like at our own tables, the themes of food, health, and safety are common on the coral reef, too.
Parrotfish are thankful for their many fused teeth that almost appear like the beak of a parrot. These teeth help them scrape algae off rocks and corals. The algae are readily available for the parrotfish to graze whenever they wish, which reminds me of going back for a second or third helping of mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Thanks to the parrotfish, algae overgrowing the reef is reduced, allowing sunlight to continue to reach the coral, helping it grow.
Octopuses are thankful for their high metabolism! Octopuses consuming A LOT of food each day relative to their body size. On a day like Thanksgiving with so much tasty food on the table, that high metabolism will help them gorge themselves on yummy seafood!
Blacktip sharks are thankful for their sixth sense, electroreception, allowing them to detect electromagnetic impulses from prey in the water. Sharks are fine hunters, but that sixth sense often gives them the upper hand (or fin) up on what they are hunting.
Sea turtles are thankful for the cleaner fish that live on the reef and remove parasites from their shells and skin. These small and thorough fish get an easy meal, and the turtles can rest happy and healthy.
Sponges are thankful for their ostia, or tiny holes in their body, that allow for the intake of water, Currents and tides move water over and through their bodies so new water means a fresh set of plankton for a continuous dinner – getting all the “good stuff” out of the water to feast!
Rays are thankful for the barbs on their tails which can protect them from predators on the reefs. This protection is two-fold, inflicting damage and delivering venom into the would-be predator. The nooks and crannies of the reef provide many hiding spots, making it a relatively safe space for rays, so the barbs stay safely tucked away. The Thanksgiving table is a safe space for family, friends, and relatives to get comfortable and feel relaxed.
Thinking about all the reef creatures and what they could be thankful for is a wonderful reminder for us to likewise be thankful for all that we have. Happy Thanksgiving from the FAU Marine Lab; we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!
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